Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Transphobia
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Dysphoria
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Gaslighting, Alcohol
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Misogyny, Transphobia, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kacen Callender’s „Felix Ever After“ is a vibrant, heartfelt celebration of identity, love, and self-discovery. With its richly drawn characters, emotionally resonant themes, and a compelling narrative, the novel shines as a standout in contemporary young adult literature.
At the heart of the story is Felix Love, a Black, queer, transgender teen navigating the complexities of self-acceptance and belonging. Felix’s journey is deeply moving, as he grapples with questions about his identity and self-worth while facing external challenges, including transphobia and racism. Callender’s nuanced portrayal of Felix’s internal struggles and triumphs is both relatable and empowering, offering readers a story that feels authentic and deeply personal.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its unapologetic representation of marginalized identities. Felix’s experiences as a transgender teen are handled with care and honesty, making the story an essential read for readers seeking to see themselves reflected on the page. Beyond Felix, the novel features a diverse cast of characters who add depth and richness to the narrative, highlighting the importance of intersectionality and inclusivity in storytelling.
Callender’s writing captures the raw emotions of adolescence with striking precision. Felix’s yearning for love—both romantic and familial—is profoundly relatable, as is his struggle to reconcile his insecurities with his desire to live authentically. The novel is filled with moments of vulnerability and growth that resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s arts scene, the novel brims with creativity and energy. Felix’s passion for art serves as a powerful metaphor for his journey of self-expression and discovery. The city itself feels like a character, its diversity and vibrancy mirroring the complexities of Felix’s world.
At its core, „Felix Ever After“ is a love story—about loving others and, most importantly, learning to love oneself. Through his relationships with friends, family, and potential romantic partners, Felix comes to understand that love is messy, multifaceted, and ultimately transformative. The novel’s emphasis on the power of self-love is a message that will resonate with readers of all ages.
My only critique would be that while Callender ambitiously tackles many important topics, at times the narrative feels overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues it tries to address. This can dilute the impact of individual moments, making certain themes feel underexplored or rushed.
„Felix Ever After“ is a beautifully crafted novel that captures the essence of self-discovery and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self. With its heartfelt prose, unforgettable protagonist, and powerful message of acceptance, the book is a testament to the importance of visibility and representation in literature. Kacen Callender has created a story that is both a mirror for those who need to see themselves and a window for those who need to understand others.
At the heart of the story is Felix Love, a Black, queer, transgender teen navigating the complexities of self-acceptance and belonging. Felix’s journey is deeply moving, as he grapples with questions about his identity and self-worth while facing external challenges, including transphobia and racism. Callender’s nuanced portrayal of Felix’s internal struggles and triumphs is both relatable and empowering, offering readers a story that feels authentic and deeply personal.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its unapologetic representation of marginalized identities. Felix’s experiences as a transgender teen are handled with care and honesty, making the story an essential read for readers seeking to see themselves reflected on the page. Beyond Felix, the novel features a diverse cast of characters who add depth and richness to the narrative, highlighting the importance of intersectionality and inclusivity in storytelling.
Callender’s writing captures the raw emotions of adolescence with striking precision. Felix’s yearning for love—both romantic and familial—is profoundly relatable, as is his struggle to reconcile his insecurities with his desire to live authentically. The novel is filled with moments of vulnerability and growth that resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Set against the backdrop of New York City’s arts scene, the novel brims with creativity and energy. Felix’s passion for art serves as a powerful metaphor for his journey of self-expression and discovery. The city itself feels like a character, its diversity and vibrancy mirroring the complexities of Felix’s world.
At its core, „Felix Ever After“ is a love story—about loving others and, most importantly, learning to love oneself. Through his relationships with friends, family, and potential romantic partners, Felix comes to understand that love is messy, multifaceted, and ultimately transformative. The novel’s emphasis on the power of self-love is a message that will resonate with readers of all ages.
My only critique would be that while Callender ambitiously tackles many important topics, at times the narrative feels overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues it tries to address. This can dilute the impact of individual moments, making certain themes feel underexplored or rushed.
„Felix Ever After“ is a beautifully crafted novel that captures the essence of self-discovery and the courage it takes to embrace one’s true self. With its heartfelt prose, unforgettable protagonist, and powerful message of acceptance, the book is a testament to the importance of visibility and representation in literature. Kacen Callender has created a story that is both a mirror for those who need to see themselves and a window for those who need to understand others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Outing, Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Hate crime, Misogyny, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second half of this blew me away. Omg I was listening to this on a walk in the park and my legs almost gave out. I tried to listen in the car and had to turn it off because I didn’t trust my self to focus enough on driving. I screamed, I cried, I paced, I curled up into a ball. I felt so many emotions listen to this book and all the different ideas on how people in the queer community interact with each other and how to find the right labels, if you need to, how to support all aspects of the community you are a part of, that having different opinions on expression are okay but making someone feel like they don’t belong because their opinion is different than yours is not. I wish i could have had this in high school because there is nothing that explored and so perfectly captured from a high school point of view that felt like a teenager was sharing their life that has made me feel as seen as this book. Felix finally letting himself have love in his friendships and letting himself experience healthy love made me cry. The growth of Felix and Leah’s friendship may have been my favorite part of the book. the tropes are stereotypical but as it feels like such a real story and the truth behind them was so well done, who cares. These are the most raw intrinsic feelings I’ve had for a book in years, maybe ever. I’ve never let myself feel as deeply as these characters, especially in front of others, and honestly I am inspired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Transphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry, Outing, Toxic friendship
emotional
medium-paced
Style/writing: 3 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 3.5 stars
Plot: 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Stalking
Minor: Racism, Medical content, Religious bigotry
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Dysphoria, Classism
Moderate: Outing, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Grief, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think Felix Ever After may have been one of the first books I read as a teenager where the main character, a queer person, existed as a real human with flaws in a unsanitized space, struggled with issues including, outside of, and intersecting with their marginalization by society, and found happiness without compromising themself. This novel truly changes lives. A beautiful re-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really excited to read this book, but it didn't hold my interest throughout. It was written well and I liked the theme. I don't know . . . I just couldnt wait to be finished with it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia